Somerset Berkley returns a host of players from last year’s team that went undefeated in league play, earned a playoff berth and finished with an overall record of 6-5.

“Last year we had a very talented junior class,” said Somerset Berkley head coach Nick Freitas.

“Now they’re seniors and we have to see if they’ve developed. They can’t be stuck in junior mode. If they progress, work out and push themselves, we should see some improvement.”

Leading the Raiders’ offensive attack will be senior quarterback Joe Fingliss, a two-year starter, who had been sharing some of the camp reps with junior Justin Duarte.

An experienced backfield behind Fingliss, led by seniors Chip Wood, Mark Tonucci and Jake Bert, give the Raiders a quality ground attack. Seniors Joel Salamon, Sal Battaglia and junior Kyle Crombie will also see some time in the backfield.

Seniors Jake Cabana and Drew Gagnon, along with sophomore Noah Julius, will also be seeing some time on the offensive line.

“Our line is athletic,” Freitas said, “but probably not as big as it’s been in the past.”

While many of these Raiders will be two-way players, Freitas is expecting Mitch Garrant, C.J. Mulrooney, Bobby McNeil, Austin Prudente, Shawn Rockcliffe, Chris Padulla and Blair Gomes to contribute heavily on the defensive side of the ball.

Although the Raiders went undefeated in the Eastern Athletic Conference a year ago, Freitas doesn’t expect his experienced team to enter the season in cruise control. Last season, Somerset Berkley won two of its league games by shutout and defeated all four opponents by a combined score of 115-20. Bishop Feehan (20-14 loss) and Bishop Stang (25-6 loss) were the two league opponents to put up points against Somerset Berkley.

Freitas is also expecing his EAC opponents to be much improved.

“When you talk about our league, you always have to think of Feehan,” Freitas said. “I think Feehan and I think Bishop Stang will be pretty good this year. You can’t take anyone for granted in this league.”

Somerset Berkley opens its season Friday night at home against Lincoln-Sudbury at 7 p.m.